Getting Pako was my idea says Neville
GARY NEVILLE is adamant the appointment of Pako Ayestaran as his assistant in no way undermines his position as Valencia’s head coach.
Neville announced on Saturday, after fi nally registering his fi rst league win at the 10th attempt, that Ayestaran, formerly assistant to Rafa Benitez at Valencia and Liverpool, would be joining his staff.
With Neville under pressure following his poor start in Spain, it has been interpreted in some quarters as a move that calls his authority into question.
But Neville stressed bringing in Ayestaran was solely his idea and was not related to the appointment of Jesus Garcia Pitarch as sporting director last month.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna, Neville said: “I can be absolutely 100 per cent clear that it was my suggestion and my appointment and no one else’s.
“I spoke to Jamie Carragher two weeks ago about Pako. I spoke to the president as far back as Christmas before the sporting director was appointed.
“I’m the head coach of Valencia, I will be the head coach of Valencia for the rest of this season. If I leave, Pako will leave. He has come to be part of my staff.
“I t might look like there’s something going on but there absolutely isn’t. After about 10 or 14 days, I recognised I needed to strengthen the coaching set- up. I feel more comfortable already.”
Ayestaran will act partly as a translator while Neville works on his Spanish .
He said: “In our coaching room, we speak Spanish. That’s a rule I’ve introduced. Sometimes I need things translated.
“Everything I’ve done has been to try to immerse myself in the culture of Spain and Valencia – with my family, on the pitch and off the pitch.”